(06-01-2015, 04:50 PM)hauntmedoitagain Wrote: Back story is important to a point. It can set the tone and mood for a character as well as help build those initial layers. In short, back story is one of many building blocks in the writing process.
I think this is closest to my feelings on backstory. It helps with building the character - and, as such, how much backstory is needed is going to be dependent on how much the player feels is needed and how much the character itself needs it. A "live in the now, don't worry about the past" type might possibly not need more but the barest of background notes (something that caused them to think this way, maybe, if it's not just their nature), while one whose life has been wholly shaped due to past events (conflicts, death in the family, etc) might want more.
Personally, I like using it to help explain how the character got to where they are today. Chachan's history is basically a summary of events - a relatively vague passage of time interspersed with important events. His family tradition, his brother's bucking of it, his own fight with his father. Even as I add more as he travels through "arcs" in game, I try to just give the most general gist I can. There were cultists he fought, he ended up in this relationship, he helped deal with this thing.
Part of it is not wanting to go too heavily into the nitty-gritty details (and leave some flex room, in the case of his pre-IG background), the other is just not being able to remember every little thing that happened in x or y event since I tend not to update the wiki except in bursts after I feel enough "stuff" has happened. In fact, I might be doing an update today, and I'm sure I can't recall every little situation that occurred between the last update and now.
But I can still (hopefully) provide enough that someone can skim through the page and get a general feel for the little guy, if they're so inclined. And, at times, it helps me keep tabs on everything he's done too.